Non-plate style brass belt buckle

**Kalok Sundancer** · 10th November 13, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by Highlander31

I purchased one of Tyger's Bottony Cross buckles a little over three years ago. I always get comments and questions when I wear it.

After all this time, it's just starting to get a little tarnish on it. I'm going to pull out the polish and take care of it, just as soon as I finish posting this.

Attachment 15243

What I would do is let it tarnish a bit more and then clear coat it. The proper patina on brass and copper can look really sharp.

**Highlander31** · 10th November 13, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Kalok Sundancer

What I would do is let it tarnish a bit more and then clear coat it. The proper patina on brass and copper can look really sharp.

My wife said something similar, when she saw me getting into the cabinet where the cleaners, polishes, etc., are kept. She reminded me, I also wear this belt and buckle with my great kilt for the renfaires. (Though, we do not go to them as much since we moved here to a rural part of the coast.) I like your suggestion of clear coating it. I did that in the Army with my brass. Gave it a good polishing, then took it to a jeweler, who gave it a good buffing, then sealed it. Never had to polish my brass again (it's too bad I couldn't have done that with my boots and low quarters, as well.)

So bowing to a greater authority, I have decided to let it tarnish a little more. However, my wife felt I shouldn't waste the effort in opening the cabinet. Coincidentally, her knee high boots needed a polishing, and since I like the way they look on her,....I polished them.

**Creag** · 11th November 13, 09:43 AM

There are some affordable round and oval options on Amazon.com.

**Sir Didymous** · 16th November 13, 10:55 AM

Here is one that I think would do nicely. It has clean lines and it's a dealer that I trust very much. At $10.00, it seems like a fair price too. http://smoke-fire.com/buckles-2.asp The one at the top.

**MacRobert's Reply** · 16th November 13, 11:48 AM

Most traditional brass day buckles with highland wear seem to be oblong (either portrait or landscape).
This is my antique one ... recently polished:

2013-11-16 12.35.53.jpg

and a modern square one:
2013-11-16 12.33.52.jpg

or you could go for something a bit different like this antique shield buckle:
2013-11-16 12.32.05.jpg

All these buckles are for a 2" belt.

However, I do have an unused 2.25" buckle lying around. PM me if anyone wants it.
2013-11-16 18.33.44.jpg

**OC Richard** · 20th November 13, 06:45 AM

I really like the top one and bottom one! Both have an "old school" feel to them.

Hopefully some XMarker will use that bottom one for a very nice belt. It would go especially well with a Culloden sporran in my opinion.

I have a very nice brass buckle similar to the top one there, which I bought at a craft fair up in the hills of West Virginia back in the 1970s. It had been hand-made by a local craftsman, and it has a great 18th century look to it. I'm far to big in the waist to wear the belt now, so I need to put new leather on it. This thread is inspiring me to do so! (The belt is just over 2" wide, 2 1/8" actually.)

**War dog** · 20th November 13, 06:49 AM

That's the best part of this forum - getting inspired by a thread. I am still looking for the right buckle but, like yourself inspired by another thread, have refound several items in my wardrobe to repurpose for kilt wear. It is as much a pleasure rediscovering as it is purchasing and a whole lot cheaper!